USS Vandergrift commander relieved from duty while at sea

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The commander of the San Diego-based frigate USS Vandergrift has been relieved while at sea, the Navy reported Thursday.

Cmdr. Luis Alva was reassigned by Capt. Paul Hogue, who leads Destroyer Squadron 23, due to loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to the Navy.

Further details were not released.

Capt. Tom Williams is replacing Alva temporarily. He is part of the DESRON 23 staff.

The vessel made news in April when its sailors helped rescue a San Diego family off the coast of Mexico. The family was on a round-the-world voyage at the time, but lost steering and their year-old daughter got sick.

The Vandegrift, named for the commander of Marine forces during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II, deployed in May for anti-drug smuggling missions in Central and South America.